Ardnamurchan 8 Years Old 2018 Thompson Bros. Aberdeen Whisky Shop

Thompson Bros.

Ardnamurchan 8 Years Old 2018

ABV: 57.1% 70 cL

This single malt was distilled in 2018 at Ardnamurchan Distillery at Glenbeg, on the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula on the west coast of the Highlands. Ardnamurchan produces both peated and unpeated spirit, known for its bold, coastal and characterful style, and this one is peated.

It was matured for 8 years in a first fill barrel and bottled by Thompson Bros., the independent bottler based in Dornoch. The bottle carries label art by KMG.

A barrel is a cask of around 200 litres, usually made from American oak. "First fill" means this is the first time the cask has been filled with Scotch after its previous contents were emptied, so the wood is at its most active and has plenty of sweetness, vanilla and colour to give to the spirit. For a young, robust peated spirit, it is a cask that can stand up to the smoke and add real depth in a relatively short time.

Thompson Bros. describe the result as dense, atmospheric and boldly savoury – big, fat and mouth-coating, with sweetness and rich umami weaving through the peat smoke.

Distilled in 2018, aged 8 years and presented at natural cask strength of 57.1% ABV, natural colour and no chill filtration.

1 BOTTLE PER HOUSEHOLD

Nose

Dense, atmospheric, and boldly savoury. It opens with rich peat smoke, crispy burnt Parmesan crisps, and the sharp mineral zip of a struck match. Beneath the smoke sits the earthy scent of fresh wet oak and resinous grapefruit rind, all lifted by a clean, bracing streak of bruised eucalyptus.

Palate

Big, fat, and mouth-coating from the first drop. It hits with warm, buttery cinema popcorn buried under a heavy fall of fireplace ash and beach bonfire embers. The texture is brilliant, coating and thick, carrying sweet bursts of juicy guava and flame-toasted pineapple. It swings back into deep umami: sautéed, buttery mushrooms and the rich, caramelised nuttiness of warm pecan pie.

Finish

Long, warming, and relentlessly coating. The smoke shifts toward a freshly stubbed cigar, joined by a lingering crunch of salty, burnt Parmesan and sweet, chewy almond nougat that clings to the palate for minutes.

£85.00

Tax included.

PRODUCT INFO

Region Highland
Distillery Ardnamurchan
Cask type First Fill Barrel
Bottling company Thompson Bros.
Whisky type Single Malt
Ardnamurchan distillery logo

The Adelphi-owned Arnamurchan Distillery, located on the picturesque peninsula of the same name, was built in 2013. The buildings were designed with sustainability in mind, using renewable energy and recycling as much water and heat as possible. The first liquid to run through the distillery was unpeated, with the peated malt being added a year later. Ardnamurchan produces both peated and unpeated spirits, often combining the two to create a new depth of flavours and unique style.

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